Wireless EEG biofeedback - advice needed

[Guest guest]

Yuri,

I think you are talking about Pocket Neurobics, which makes the Pendant and

Pocket Wireless unit. I use both of those as well as the PET. I haven't seen

the Neurobit, so I can't speak to it. The ones I use are all 2-channel units

with independent references in each channel.

Each of these has its strengths and weaknesses.

Pendant is very inexpensive (less than $600 through the brain-trainer website),

and has excellent specs (256 sampling rate, same as ProComp; A/D conversion bit

rate of 12, which I believe is equal to ProComp; flat amplification curve like

ProComp).

The Pocket Wireless (about $1,400 without HEG headband) has been completely

redesigned and is due out fairly soon. It has been upgraded to the specs of the

Pendant and will be able to do EEG and/or either type of HEG with the same unit.

It is capable of operating without a computer (though with pretty limited

feedback). It is worth noting that learning to navigate through the menu system

on the Pocket can be a pretty daunting process.

The problems with these units have primarily to do with failures of their

dongles (receiving unit, which plugs into a USB port.) and their wireless

connections. They are not terribly robust, so they can easily suffer

interference in environments with other radio frequency (rf) devices around. I

frequently have multiple Pendants or Pockets at trainings, and although they can

switch rf channels among 8 options, it is very common to have them interfering

with one another, causing the signal to drop out sporadically during the

session. In a more isolated environment they do quite well, and they have an

effective range of about 15 feet from the computer as long as there is a clear

line of sight between the unit and its dongle.

The Brainquiry PET (about $1,450) samples at 200 (though this can be changed in

software) and has a bit rate up in the 20's, with a flat amplification curve.

It is the most solid and robust of the units I have seen, and it has the active

electrodes built-in, so you need not prep sites or test impedances to get nearly

perfect signals with disposable electrodes. It has a very powerful and

easy-to-use bluetooth wireless connection which can function through walls and

at distances up to 30 yards. These features make it a remarkable option for

home trainers, since you don't have to worry about signal quality or loss of

signal compromising the training. I would disagree with what you have heard

about inconvenience. I have found this the most convenient of the units to use.

It is a DC amplifier--which may turn out to have great benefit in the near

future--so it does require slight additions to BioExplorer protocols, but we are

implementing those additions in all new and revised designs in the TLC Design

subscription package, and we'll be adding them to all the old protocols as they

are updated.

Pete

Wireless EEG biofeedback - advice needed

Currently there are several manufacturers offering Wireless EEG

biofeedback, like Neurobics, Neurobit

(http://www.neurobitsystems.com/product.htm) and Brainquiry. J & J also

supports wireless version but it goes more expensive and is already

like small physio lab with 6 channels.

All are working with same software package (BioExplorer). First 2 are

both standalone and computer, Brainquiry and J & J supports just

computer version. All of them (apart from J & J) are relatively new on

the market.

I read nice report on the site on Active Electrodes, and I understand

this is one of the main strengths of Brainquiry. On the other way

round, same report shows that the use of their equipment is not as

convenient. Certainly Pocket device which gives programmable

standalone capabilities is very tempting.

Could anybody on the list recommend any of these products for EEG

biofeedback for homeuse, including Theta braiwave training and

relaxation (Alpha training)?

A. Convenience of use. I am planning to put electrodes on my head

myself, so convenience of use is significant

B. Reliability of hardware (as far as I leave overseas it's

problematic for me to exchange the equipment)

C. Reliability of signals processing/feedback (if compare to any

reference point, like ThoughtTechnology or J & J).

Thanks

Yuri

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